Visited numerous times over the last few weeks. Now rebranded as a 'Sizzler' pub. Various issues including ice cream served in warm bowls so it melts by the time you get it, desserts being served before snacks and mains, inattentive staff more interested in flirting with customers. The list goes on. As a food pub what comes out of the kitchen is shoddy at best. Avoid big time!!!
Chris
I would like to bring it to your attention of how disappointed my partner and I were when we visited the Eastfield Arms in Barnsley on Sunday the 11th November 2007.
We ordered two meals at 2:00pm, after waiting for 45 minutes I decided to ask the person behind the bar how much longer we would have to wait. The female behind the bar said, ‘there is between a 35 and 45 minute wait which you were told about when ordering’. I explained that we had not been told of this when the food was ordered and secondly, we had now been waiting over 45 minutes. The female went into the kitchen to ‘chase up’ our meals but never returned to our table to let us know of their progress. Five minutes later another female, who was much more helpful came to our table and asked what we had ordered and apologised explaining that our order had been lost!
We sat patiently observing the staff working, other customers finishing both their main courses and deserts, who incidentally ordered their meals after us and what appeared to be non-uniformed staff going in and out of the kitchen, yes non-uniformed staff in the kitchen. Whilst making a point on health and hygiene, a number of drinking glasses were also seen in the kitchen area. Correct me if I am mistaken but I believe this is not permitted. Imagine if one of those glasses were to smash, as I did hear when ordering drinks at the bar. Who knows which meals the tiny shards of glass may get into?
By 3:10pm a number of other customers had passed our table while on their way to the bar and made comments to us about the amount of time we had been waiting for our meals. One of these customers, while being served at the bar kindly asked how long our meals would be. The customer was told they are coming now…. 20 minutes later at 3:30pm our food finally arrived!!
The disappointment of the lengthy wait, losing our food order and disorganisation of some staff was one thing, but to receive no apology from a senior member of staff on duty really did no favours for this establishment. Before we left we explained to the manager on duty how disappointing the whole visit had been. At this stage she did apologise and give us a cash refund for our meals.
My partner used to work in the realm of food and drinks service and I still do, managing a successful establishment. We do understand how pressured it can get in this environment, especially at busy times. Actually, we are probably more understanding than most other customers as a result of this. However, to receive no apology in the first instance and then to receive one only after expressing our disappointment several times I feel is such a shame.
I wanted to bring this disappointment to your attention so that maybe staff can be better trained in customer service and effective management. Then hopefully, other customers will not leave feeling as disappointed as we did.
neighbourhood witch
Great food in a pretty good venue. Try the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding - absolutely delicious!
